Goodbye Old Friends

by Jeff Clark on Aug 2, 2007 5:32 PM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

With all the hoopla over Kevin Garnett, most of us have nearly forgotten about the guys leaving town. We grew to love these guys and we put a lot of hope in them for the future. The future turned out to be now and they turned out to be chips. That works out fine for me, but we'll sorta miss them too. Especially Big Al. Here is a post by Green Bandwagon on each of this summers departing players.

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Nice post.
Unlike many others, I’m not fully convinced Jefferson is the Second Coming. I really thought one more season would give us a better projection of his potential. For all his strengths, he still needs to work on his defense, ball handling and 12 – 15 foot jump shot. He seems like a good kid though and I hope he does well – except against us.
I’ll miss Gomes. I think he has a chance to have a nice long career in this league. He does many things quite well.
As for the others – good riddance. None of them impressed me.

by DJ to Bird on Aug 2, 2007 6:07 PM EDT reply actions

DJ to Bird, I concur although I am happy the trade went down.

by docextension on Aug 2, 2007 7:07 PM EDT reply actions

Jefferson and West will be truly missed. That’s why Jefferson was the centerpiece of the Garnett trade and West was the centerpiece of the Allen trade. Other teams knew perfectly well who the Celtics’ good young players were.

Tony Allen would have had a value similar to West’s if Tony were healthy. But he’s not.

The others were expendible. Gerald Green has all-star individual talent, but it will be years before he learns how to play 5 on 5 basketball. Gomes is a smart offensive player, but his offense does not quite compensate for his struggles on defense.

by Brickowski on Aug 2, 2007 7:36 PM EDT reply actions

I’ll say this. Seeing Al in his new uniform makes me feel about as sad as seeing KG in his new uniform makes me smile:

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/meet_al_jefferson_070802.html

by cool breeze on Aug 2, 2007 8:29 PM EDT reply actions

I think we will miss BigAl, Gomes, GG, and Delonte because they are good people and represented the Celtics well. And it was fun watching them develop and put their heart into playing for the Celtics. Sure we did not win much with them but that does not take away from their character. Some of us believe it we had a head coach, they would have progressed even further. But despite losing them, it was a good trade for the Celtics. Hope none of them going to Minnesota take any crap from Blount.

by scndtony on Aug 2, 2007 8:40 PM EDT reply actions

Delonte, Ryan, Gerald, and most of all, Al – your effort and growth over the years has been awesome to watch, we wish you guys the best with your new teams, and we will be fans of you for the rest of your careers

by BigPerk43 on Aug 2, 2007 9:01 PM EDT reply actions

Great post by Green Bandwagon.

cool breeze said:
I’ll say this. Seeing Al in his new uniform makes me feel about as sad as seeing KG in his new uniform makes me smile.

So with you on that.

by jv_squad on Aug 2, 2007 10:17 PM EDT reply actions

Quite simply Ainge has transferred his vision to McHale and the Timberwolves. I look for Al to go 24 & 12, if not this year, then certainly by next year and Gomes to be a steady 15 & 8, with both of them shooting for a high percentage. If Gerald develops, this trade could end of being more lopsided than Barry Joe for McHale & Parish. For Telfair this may be his last chance for a long, long time, so it will be interesting to see how he reacts. With two additional first round picks and Theo’s contract to dangle, the Wolves are set up nicely. Finally, Eddie House ain’t no Delonte West.

by Celtsfansince55 on Aug 3, 2007 5:30 AM EDT reply actions

some thoughts on the most exciting celtics off-season I’ve watched.

watching these guys fight and keep so many games competative was a real thrill, and even though we have lost a lot, I felt like I got my money’s worth of entertainment from a hustl’n green team the last few years.

I will miss these guys, too. Delonte— I have never seen a guard block shots like that. Some fan should you-tube all his blocks, because they look more dominating than the ones the centers get. Anyone remember the big one he got in the game opener against the pistons two years ago?

Jefferson was a stud this year, but it took an apendesitus to get him to loose enough weight to be that quick. do players with weight issues handle it most of the time? what’s the over/under on that? He was a LOT of fun to watch, but who knows, we part on good terms I think,perhaps he’ll come back when KG and his extensions run out!

by Kevin Gamble's Truth on Aug 3, 2007 12:13 PM EDT reply actions